I purchased a Dovo Ebony 5/8" about 1 year ago. My routine usually is to sharpen with a short pyramid on the stones every other week and do the green cox .5 (8-10 strokes) every week.

I decided recently to skip the stones and just continue to use the green paste. I was able to shave a month until the blade was not sharp. I went to do my short pyramid and the blade was still dull.

I did a long pyramid same thing. I did a few long pyramids and the blade was still dull. I went down to 1000 grit, and worked my way up to the long pyramid. The blade was better. I did another 1000 session and a few more pyramids and my blade was fine again. I think it is now alot sharper then it was.

Did using the paste too much dull the blade?

Or

Did the blade get more and more dull over time and it needed a refreshening on coarser stones?

Do blades need a serious sharpening every 12 months?